Zane: The Atlantean Prince

CHAPTER 7: THE SCHOOL TRIP

"Are you ready, son?" Bren asked Zane if he was ready to go. Today is their school trip to the zoo, and they need to be at the school grounds before six o'clock in the morning. There are five buses provided for grades four and five, alphabetically arranged, and they are assigned to bus number 2.

"Yes, Dad. I am just fixing my things." His cheek is no longer swollen. He is sure Winsor and his friends can not bully him today, but he is still praying that the bullies will not get a chance to bully him and will focus on the animals. "I'm ready, Dad. Let's go."

They both walked out of the house and went to the garage. His father loaned a second-hand white car in replacement for the car wrecked three years ago.

"Buckle up, son." His father drove carefully. He had trauma because of the accident they had before, but he was able to go back to normal after therapy sessions with the help of a professional counsellor. The accident was not his fault, it was the ugly monster they encountered and suddenly blocked their way.

He still remembered how the monster blocked the road, made their car swerve, and hit the huge tree. Their car was wrecked but the monster was still standing there unharmed. He closed his fist and clenched his teeth. That painful day was still haunting him and his family, even in his dreams. He took a deep breath and sighed. He wanted to get stronger for his family, to keep them safe from any harm. "Someday, I will become powerful to protect my family," he said to himself.

The sun is up and the weather is perfect for a zoo tour. It was not that hot, a bit cloudy but it does not look like it will rain. He checked if his digital camera and his mobile phone were fully charged. He also checked if his power bank was in his backpack.

"I already found a good club for your archery class. Their members even join in international competitions. A regular client at the gym recommended the club to me." His father was smiling while saying the good news. He is lucky to have a father like him, loving, caring, and a good person. He taught him a lot of things—from fixing mechanical things, electrical wiring, and anything that a person must remember to survive. He also taught him how to be a good person even to those evil ones. "We will go there tomorrow after school."

"Sure, Dad. That's great news!"

"I know you will be excited about it."

"Dad," he said.

"Yes, son? Is there something troubling you?" His father glanced at him then his eyes went back to the road.

"No, Dad. I met a girl on the school bus last time," he started. "She is from Class C."

"Is she pretty and kind?" his father asked.

"Yes, Dad." He scratched the back of his head. "Something happened in my lunch box that time. I was so hungry, but I didn't have anything to eat. I was on my way home when my stomach made a shameful sound. Aera heard it, and she offered me her sandwich. Then she also gave me her bottled water. I was so shy to accept it but I was so hungry that time. I feel ashamed but I want to see her again."

"What a shame!" His father laughed. "But that's so nice of her. You can bring your friend home so we can thank her for her kindness. I will ask your Mom to prepare the tastiest snacks for her."

"But, Dad, I just found out the other day that her family suddenly moved out of town due to her father's kind of work, and she dropped out of school." he lowered his head. Sadness is shown in his eyes. "Will I ever see her again?"

"That's sad to hear, son, but I'm sure you will meet another pretty and kind friend again, or you might see her again someday."

"I prefer to see her again someday. She is special..." he said in a low voice but his father heard him.

"Is that a crush, son?" his father said, teasing him.

"No... well, I guess so, Dad," he replied hesitantly. He hardly tells anyone what he feels to anyone, but his father knows him so much and he trusts him.

"Oh, here we are." The school gate was open, and his father drove the car onto the campus grounds and parked at the available lot near the gate. They got out of the car and looked around. The five buses are already there, and some kids with their parents are walking towards the direction where the five buses are parked.

"We are assigned to bus number 2, Dad." He pointed at the bus with the number 2 written on a piece of paper and pasted it on the windshield.

"Let's go, son. Let's hop in before everyone arrives. We will sit at the back." They walked towards the bus and hopped in. There were already a few students and parents seated and they stayed near the driver's seat. His father walked straight to the back and took the second to the last seats. Zane sat beside the window and his father occupied the aisle.

"I brought some snacks and sandwiches. Are you hungry?" He offered the sandwich in his hand.

"No, Dad. Thanks! I'll eat later. I ate three pancakes and four hot dogs."

His father took one sandwich and opened it. "Sorry, son, I am hungry."

His classmates and their parents are arriving one by one, and the bus is almost full. The three bullies, Winsor, Cullen and Alfred, with their parents, were the last ones who arrived. Winsor looked in his direction and was about to bully him again but he saw Zane's father.

He almost laughed because his Dad is huge and bulky, with toned muscles in the right places. His father is also a part-time gym instructor.

Winsor just sat down with his father who also looks the same as him. They both have a fat belly. Cullen's father is not so handsome with his floral shirt and red pants, while Alfred's mother looks colourful with her pink blouse and neon green jeans.

Teacher Dess stood in front. "Okay, class. We are now leaving the campus. Fasten your seat belts, please." She started checking the master list and the students on board.

Zane is excited and nervous at the same time, and he could not explain why.

They left the zoo safely, though Zane was still worried over something he could not explain.

The sun was about to set and the road was getting dark. He sighed. "I am just paranoid for nothing," he said to himself.

Winsor was singing and waving his hands while the bus was moving. "Did you see how I manipulated those fish in the aquarium?" He swayed his hands as if he was dancing. "They all went like this, and this!" He was gesturing about how the dolphins sway their bodies. Everyone was laughing at him, except Zane.

"You should sit down, Winsor. You might get into an accident. We are on a highway," Teacher Dess reminded him.

"I'm sorry, teacher. It was just so fun in that aquarium." He sat next to his father.

Zane just shook his head and leaned on his chair. "He's a weirdo."

"Did you have fun, son?" Bren asked his son.

"Yes, Dad. It was magical, especially in that aquarium."

"It was really weird for them to dance like that. It's like someone instructed them." Bren took out his digital camera. "I saved some videos here. You can watch it later."

"Thanks, Dad!" He was so excited to watch the video inside the aquarium. "Dad, can we go back there some other time?"

"Sure, son. We'll bring Wane and Anne, too." He handed the camera to Zane. "I just hope Anne can already walk soon so we can celebrate at the zoo or the theme park."

He gave a half smile to his father. Remembering Anne's condition made him feel sad and regretful, blaming himself once more. "She can walk again, someday." I hope, he said to himself. "I can only live with a peaceful mind if she can walk again."

He took the digital camera and replayed the videos taken earlier. He was still amused because of what happened in the aquarium.